Activity Overview
Allusions are present throughout All American Boys, referencing actual people, places, and events. These references help plunge the reader into the world around Rashad and Quinn and the different influences in their lives in modern America. In this activity, students will identify and illustrate allusions present in the novel.
Examples of Allusions in All American Boys
- Black Lives Matter
- Family Circus Cartoons
- ROTC
- UPS
- Aaron Douglas, Artis
- Patriots football game
- Family Feud TV Game Show
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies allusions present in All American Boys (references to actual people, places, events or works of art or literature). Illustrate instances of each allusion and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the allusions from All American Boys you wish to include and write them in the title.
- Create an image for an example that represents this allusion using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allusion | The allusion and its depiction are historically or factually accurate. The context from the story is given in a brief summary. | The allusion and its depiction may be slightly inaccurate historically or factually. The context from the story may be missing. | The allusion and its depiction have serious errors in accuracy. The context from the story are missing, or there is no description at all. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to both the allusion and to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion, or may be too limited. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
Examples of Allusions in All American Boys
- Black Lives Matter
- Family Circus Cartoons
- ROTC
- UPS
- Aaron Douglas, Artis
- Patriots football game
- Family Feud TV Game Show
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies allusions present in All American Boys (references to actual people, places, events or works of art or literature). Illustrate instances of each allusion and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the allusions from All American Boys you wish to include and write them in the title.
- Create an image for an example that represents this allusion using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allusion | The allusion and its depiction are historically or factually accurate. The context from the story is given in a brief summary. | The allusion and its depiction may be slightly inaccurate historically or factually. The context from the story may be missing. | The allusion and its depiction have serious errors in accuracy. The context from the story are missing, or there is no description at all. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to both the allusion and to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion, or may be too limited. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Allusion in All American Boys
Connect allusions to students’ own lives for deeper understanding
Encourage students to draw parallels between the allusions in All American Boys and their own experiences or current events. This approach helps them see how literature reflects real-world issues and personal connections can deepen comprehension.
Facilitate a class discussion about the impact of allusions
Lead a conversation where students share how each allusion affects their perception of the story and characters. This will help students recognize the power of cultural references in shaping a reader’s understanding and empathy.
Assign students to research the context behind each allusion
Have students individually choose an allusion from the novel and investigate its historical or cultural background. This research will enhance their appreciation of the author’s intent and the novel’s relevance.
Guide students to create a visual representation of a chosen allusion
Ask students to illustrate an allusion using drawings, digital art, or collage. Visualizing the reference will help students internalize its significance and express understanding creatively.
Encourage students to present their findings and visuals to the class
Invite students to share their research and artwork with peers. Presenting helps them practice communication skills and allows the class to learn from diverse perspectives on the allusions’ meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Allusion in All American Boys
What are some examples of allusions in All American Boys?
All American Boys includes allusions to Black Lives Matter, Family Circus cartoons, ROTC, UPS, artist Aaron Douglas, a Patriots football game, and the Family Feud TV game show. These references connect the story to real-world events, culture, and history.
How can I help students identify allusions in All American Boys?
Encourage students to look for references to real people, places, or events as they read. Have them note when something seems familiar or tied to current events, popular culture, or history, then discuss how these references deepen the story's meaning.
Why are allusions important in All American Boys?
Allusions help ground the novel in reality, making its themes more relatable and powerful for students. They connect the characters’ experiences to real-world movements and issues, encouraging deeper understanding and discussion.
What is a simple classroom activity for teaching allusions in All American Boys?
Ask students to create a storyboard where they pick key allusions from the novel, illustrate each one, and write a short description. This activity supports comprehension and creative thinking.
How do allusions enhance student engagement with All American Boys?
Allusions make the novel more engaging by connecting literary events to students’ lives and current events. This relevance can spark discussion, critical thinking, and personal connections to the themes.
More Storyboard That Activities
All American Boys
- • geralt • License Free for Commercial Use / No Attribution Required (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0)
- 4552841 • Kelly Lacy • License Free To Use / No Attribution Required / See https://www.pexels.com/license/ for what is not allowed
- 4613880 • Life Matters • License Free To Use / No Attribution Required / See https://www.pexels.com/license/ for what is not allowed
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
